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While you’re in that state of mind – Penguin Random House is offering yet another opportunity to receive new books for your library.

Last year, the publisher and its foundation piloted the Penguin Random House Library Award for Innovation. Its intent is to acknowledge and elevate libraries that have overcome noteworthy hardships (budget cuts, overall economic conditions, natural disasters, etc.).

Emphasis is given to applicants who can demonstrate (1) a successful track record for community collaborations, (2) a sustained dedication to reaching and nurturing new readers within their community, or (3) a commitment to innovative practices and programs in spite of hardships.

Four runners-up will receive $1,000 in books from Penguin Random House. One grand prize winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize. Applications are due Tuesday, February 4. Winners will be notified by May.Visit their websiteto learn more!

Speaking of revamped websites, NLLD is not the only one to boast a new and expanded online presence this year. The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation – administrator of the ever-popular Keats mini-grant program – also has a new site, just in time for the 2020 cycle.

Named after the bestselling and Caldecott Award- winning illustrator, this Foundation offers 70 annual “mini-grants” to public libraries and schools, to put on whatever children’s program they desire. Since the Foundation’s inception, the program has awarded nearly $1,000,000 – that’s a lot of mini-grants!

Need inspiration? The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation’s recently remodeledwebsiteis chock full of replicable examples. For instance, the most recent Minnesota grantee (Beaver Lake Education Center in Maplewood) self-published a “collage homage” of a favorite Keats book, by having each classroom contribute a page in a different artistic medium (paper mache, oil paints, etc.)

Mini-grants are capped at $500. Applicants seeking consideration in 2020 should submit their materials online by March 31, 2020.Click here to learn more.

Note: Friends of the Library organizations are ineligible for this program unless partnering directly with their affiliated Library. If, for whatever reason, this presents an issue for your hoped-for program, consider MALF’s ownChris D. Olson Event & Programming Grantas an alternative!

You’re never too young to be a user of, and lover of, your library. In this spirit, United for Libraries invites Friends groups to partner on its impactful and long-running Books for Babies program in 2020.

What’s it all about? In brief, the Books for Babies team assembles inexpensive “gift kits” specially tailored to parents of newborns. Contents include an informational booklet and brochures on developing early literacy skills, one or several “Baby’s First Book” boardbooks, a bib, and “Baby’s First Library Card” (to be exchanged for the real thing at your local branch!)

How do these kits get into the hands of new and expectant parents? Organizations (typically but not exclusively Friends of the Library) purchase a number of their choosing for their area. Many supplement the kit basics with more local resources: brochures and magnets promoting your library’s pertinent services, a calendar of upcoming storytime dates, a Friends membership flyer, etc.

The customizability options are nearly endless, but the objective remains the same: “encourage parents to engage in developmentally helpful literacy activities, and instill a love of libraries from a young age.” Click hereto learn about package pricing (starting at $8/per), recommended distribution strategies, success stories, and more.